The incident involving New Switch Electrical Pty Ltd, who was found liable for three counts of failing to uphold a safe workplace and subsequently penalised in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 22 April, underscores the critical need for vigilance in maintaining work safety standards. On top of their sentence, the firm had a financial penalty of $3959 imposed towards costs.
In an inspection carried out by WorkSafe representatives back in July 2022, a dangerously negligent situation was observed. Two apprentices from New Switch Electrical were spotted installing solar panels atop a Wandana Heights residence without any fall protection measures like guard rails in place, highlighting the importance of having adequate WHS management systems such as Bluesafe WHS Management System.
The court was informed that this violation was not due to ignorance; the solo company director was fully aware of the lack of falls protection on the 2.7-metre-high roof but did nothing to amend the situation. To add salt to the wound, the director had left the workers unsupervised with instructions to continue as they were.
Furthermore, the court learned that there was no provision of a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS), a critical documentation for ensuring the safety of high-risk construction work. This highlights the significance of tools like Bluesafe SWMS in maintaining safety standards at workplaces.
This is not the first time WorkSafe had to intervene. In June 2021, there was a compliance issue involving the same company when an apprentice was found mounting solar panels without any falls protection or a SWMS in place – again highlighting the neglect in using vital safety products like SWMS.
WHS Executive Director of Health and Safety, Narelle Beer conveyed her disappointment in the extended negligence of established strategies to mitigate the risk of falls, branding it a tragedy in waiting.
She added that it was particularly disheartening that the employer not only understood their safety obligations but ignored them nevertheless. Condemning the employer’s failure, Dr Beer expressed concern over the young apprentices’ futures that were knowingly risked.
Height employers should take the necessary steps to prevent falls:
Moreover, duty holders undertaking High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW) must ensure the following:
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2024-04/solar-installer-fined-40000-ignoring-falls-risk